Therapeutic apparatus.



T. POWELL.

THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION Hum AUG.21J 190 mlSSS BATENTED JUNE 9, 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Jhven i023 WWI-M WWW/W4 PATENTED JUNE 9, 1908.

T. POWELL.

THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 21, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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PATENTED JUNE 9, 1908.

T. POWELL.

THERAPEUTIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 21, 1906.

8 SHEETB-SHEET 8.

UNITED STATES PATE T mm 'ITHOMAS POWELL, OF L'os ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

' 'rmanarnu'ric APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS POWELL, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los- Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Therapeutic Apparatus, of'which the followin is a s ecificat1on.-

- An o ject 0 this invention is to provide "SIIPBI'IOI means for applying thermal, hydro- -pathic, galvanic and cataphoretical treatment to patients.

,In this invention I rovide a thera eutic .appliance by means of which an app lcator 2 pathic and galvanic treatment, the fluid being applied either as a heating agent, or as a heating and cleansing or medicinal agent, and more especially as a relaxant;

- A further object of the invention is to provide means for applying definite temperature, constant or variable, at the will of the operator, to the partto be treated. An object of the invention is to provide means for superior medical treatment con- 3 sisting of first cleansing the diseased surface,

and then immediatel yapplyingvarious remedial agents in connection with-hydrothermal treatment; for example, electricity or medical remedies, as by cataphoresis. 40 A further object is to enable the operator to accurately regulate the temperature of the application, and also to vary such temper'a vture at will with one hand while directing the application with the other hand.

By this invention means are provided whereby medicinal agents may be applied in the form of warm oultices or medicated pads, gradually raismg the temperature of the poultices or pads during the application,

zthus doing away with the inconvenience heretofore involved of changing poultices or v pads for the purpose of reaching an application of requisite temperature without shock or pain to the patient, It isobvious that theffapplication of cooling as Wellas'heating Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed August 21 1905. Serial No. 275,193..

, Patented Junie9,'1908.

agent maybe accomplished the same way by means of thisinvention.

In carrying out the invention, I provide applicator means, cold. fluid.- supply-means, and means for commingling the hot andcold fluids and delivering the same to the applicator and to the waste alternatively, thus to maintain constant temperature for intermittent applications. m

Various forms of applicators may be used, 255 and I have shown in the drawings two such forms, one of which forms is adapted for the projection of a douche or wash of a regulated temperature into the mouth, as in the treat ment of pharyngitis,'etc. By means of suitably constructed attachments, not shown, the ear, bladder, and other cavities may also be treated.

- The accompanying drawings illustr te the invention v Figure 1 is -a pers ective showingthe general arrangement 0 the invention as a pliedfor cataphor'ical treatment. Medicina -pads or poultlces are shown in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a front view of the hydrothermostat or means for controlling the temperature of the supply of wateror other liquid. Fig. 3 is a side view thereof. Fig. 4 is a plan of one of the devices for applying remedies by catephoresis, the medicinal pad or poul-tice being shown at one side for clearness of illustration. Fig. 5 shows the application of the hydrothermostat device in the projection of a douche or wash of a definite or regulated tem erature, into the mouth, as in the treatmento pharyngitis, etc. Fig. 6 is a sectional, fragmental view of the hydrothermostat. Fig. 7 isa fra mental section of the hydrothermostat Referringl to-Fi 1 1 designates an ordinary bowl avingllot and cold water supply connections which may lead from a mam'or reservoir of am 1e capacity, and 4 is a drainage or trap outlet for the bowl. Pipes 2, 3, lead upwardly from the connections 2 and 3 to the hydrothermostatic-or water-tempering device indicated in the general way at 5; said device comprises a thermometer 5 and twovalves 7 and 8, the former for directing the flow of a mixture of hot and cold Water past the bulb of said thermometer and the latter to direct such mixture either to suitable applying means or to a waste or drainage means as desired. Valve 7 is provided with a handle 9, anditsfiplug phas twofwaysf-ja,-"b, for

pipes 2', 3", respectively, and a way for de- 'very of liquid to a fluid mingling and temperature regulating chamber 10 which con- 7 tains the bulb 6 of a thermometer 6. An

outlet duct or conduit 12 leads from the chamber to the valve 8, which is a threeway valve having a handle 13 and ports 6., c, f, respectively for the conduit 12 and outlet pipes 14, 15. The-pipe 12 opens from cham- 10 ber 10 at a point above the thermometer bulb 6' as shown in Fig. 6 and the liquid delivered thereto first surrounds and passes such bulb so that the thermometer will indicate the temperature of the liquid delivered 15 to conduit 12'.

' The passage means or ways a, b, c, of the plug of valve 7 are arranged for establishing graduated communication from one or both of the hot and cold water pipes 2, 3, to the thermometric chamber 10 and conduit 12.

With the handle in the position shown in Fi 2, the way I), is just in proximity to the cofdwater supply pipe 3, and way a at such distance from the hot water supply pipe 2 that when the cock is turned to bring way I;

and pipe 3 into coincidence, way a is in position to begin to open pi e 2. Further turn- .ing of the cockin the 'rection of the arrow in Fig. 6 will tlfen gradually c'utofi the cold water from pipe 3 andturn on the hot water from 2 until a point is reached where the cold water is entirely shut off.

The passage means or ways of valve 8 are arranged for establishing graduated communication from the conduit 12 to either one of the-pipes 14, 15. 'The ways 9 extends on the eriphe'ry of plug t around the opposite side I on; the openings of pipes 14 and 15, and is of such length that when the handle 13 is in 40' the position shown in Fig. 2, both discharge pipes 14, 15, are cut off from pipe 12. On

turning the handle either way, either discharge may be connected to pipe 12.

Pipes 14 and, 15 may be alternatively con nected with an applicator or with the waste.

y In'Figs. 1 and 2, for example, pipe I l-is connected by flexible connectlon or rubber tube, to any suitable applicator such as hereinafter described, and pipe 15 is connected .to

a suitable drainage or waste means as the rub 'bertube 19 leading to the basin bowl 1,while in Fig. 5 the ap licator is shown connected to pipe 15 and t e drainage tube 19 is con nected to pi e 14. Theconduit 12,-which forms the out et from the thermometer chamber 10, may have any means of delivering the stream, including the mouth-nozzle-piece 12 I with a valve or cock12 fornmaking additronal connections, as hereinafter described. The above-described devices constitute the hydrothermostat or means for applying a.

current of. water at definite constant or regulated temperature. Thus, by suitably turnthe valve 7, cold and hot water may be a owed to flow together into chamber '10 -may be applied as a wash or douche, as indiat 25 in Fig. 4,- the inner en s of the spiral application he may turn the cock or plug 1) to discharge the stream from pipe 12 into the pipe connected with the waste 19 and when he wishes to again-resume the application, he may simply turn the cock'p back to its former position ,whereupon the stream is again delivered to the applicator at the same temperature as before.

The tube of the thermometer 6 is extended out through the top of chamber 10, so as to be open to inspection and is sealed by means of a rubber stopper K compressed into a cup in the base at of the thermometer case 0, which is screwed down on top of the chamber 10, and a gasket q thereon. 1

In passing the thermometer bulb the current of water will cause its temperature to be indicated on the thermometer, and the han dle 16 can be moved or adjusted until sufiicient hot water is admitted along with the cold water to raise its temperature to the proper degree. 'When this is attained the valve 8 may be moved to shift the flow to the conduit 14 leading to the applicator, and therefore the flow may be maintained at the same temperature, or if desired, may be gradually raised or lowered by moving the handle of valve 7. Valves 7 and 8 may be provided with indexes 20, 21, for cooperating with scales or marks 22, 23, on the respective valve casings for facilitating adjustment of the valves.-

All of the above-described parts will be supported on a suitable base or wall plate 24, which may be attached to the wall directly over the bowl 1, aforesaid.

The applicator, or means for receiving and utilizing the current of .warm, hot or temperate water may be variously constructed according to the manner in which it is desired to apply the water. For example, the current of water may be applied 1n such manner as to utilize only the heating. effect thereof, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and4, or it cated in Fig. 5. ,In the former case, the. applicator preferably consists of a soft rub- I ber tube coiled in a double s. iral, as shown; being ,connected together by a fitting 25", and their outer ends being connected respectively to'the inletand outlet conduits 1.8, 26, which also consists of soft rubber tubes. 27 designates lacing or bindings fastening together the convolutions of the spirals to I "form the same into a disk-like membercapa-' ble of ap lication flatwise to the-part, of the bod to e treated. In Fig. 1, two such app 'cators, indicated at 25, 25, are shown as connected together by an intermediate tube 26 which'forms the outlet for one applicator and the inlet for the other, the latterhaving an outlet tube 26 which is extended into asuitable drainage connection; for example' the bowl 1. The tubes 18, 26 may the applicator and patient to moderate or diffuse the application of the heat or the medicine, as in cataphoric medication; such pads being formed preferably of absorbing material to receive and transmit to the deeper tissues a suitable medicinal agent.

The apparatus above described operates as a means for applying warmth or heat locally to the body or part to be treated either for the purpose of obtaining the bene-' fit due to the direct action of the heat, or for facilitating the. introduction and action of a medicinal agent if such be used, In the a medicine. .36

latter case, the effect of the heat applied in this manner is to open the pores and generally put the surface of the body into condition to permit the ingress or absorption of the In this connection the apparatus may be advantageously used in the application of medicinal agents by cataphoresis, the applicators serving by their warmth to put the surface to be treated into the best condition to be treated, and also serving as means for application of an electric current. For this pur ose the applicators 25, 25, .may be provide with fiat terminal conductors or electrodes 32 secured thereon as by attachment to metallic fitting 25 and connected by wires to a suitable source of current supply; the electrodes on said applicators being connected respectively to su ply wires 33 and 34. The applicators are placed, asa rule, on opposite sides of the body or the member to be treated, and means are desirably provided for reversing the supply connection to said wires so as to pass the'current in one or the other direction through the body as desired.

The current isfed in from any convenient.

source. In the circuit is installed the cutout switch 66 and the rheostat 67 which serve to turn on and off and to vary the current. the ,strength of the current. Situated between the rheostat a'ndthe milliammeter is the pole changer 69. Fig. 5 illustrates the ap lication of the hydrothermostatic device fbr supplying a douche or washing device. 55 represents a douche adjusted for the mouthand throat; the nozzle 55 thereof being connected to the outlet pipe 15 of the hydrothermostat, and the returnflow pipe 56 from the douche leading back to t e drainage means' lf A receiver or medicine-containing vessel 57,

A milliammeter 68 serves to indicate formed for example as a funnel, is suspended v by a hanger 58 above the hydrothermostat' or water-tempering device 5, and a flexible connection 59 leads from this funnel to one arm of a Y-coupling 60, the other arms of which are connected to tube 15 and to a tube 61 leading to nozzle 55. .A compressor or cut-ofl 62 is provided on rubber tube 59 to normally stop the flow of medical fluid. A flexible tube connection 63 is provided from the outlet 12 on. device 5 to the medicinereceiver 57, so that by opening valve 12", water can be vpassed into the receiver 57. By this apparatus, by means of valves 7 and 8 water can be passed to the part affected and clean the same, and also to apply heat thereto, and the heating effect can be gradually increased 'to a much higher and-more effective temperature than could be borne in a sudden application. Then, if desired, medicated wash can be applied to-the part by closing valve 8 and opening the cut-off 62. It will be seen by t e foregoing and by reference to the drawings that the operator is enabled by this invention to handle the applicator constantly with one hand, and at t e same time without any interruption of the application, can accurately, quickly, and conveniently adj ustthe temperature as required in his judgment from time to time during the application; and in case the application is desired to be intermittent, e

can maintain the temperature uninterrupt-.

edly while the application has been inter rupted, this being done bysimply turning the flow into the waste by operating the valve 8. What I claim is 1. A therapeutic apparatus comprising" hot and cold water supply means, a chamber provided with a thermometer, a valve controlling communication from the hot and cold Water supply separately and conjointly to said chamber, outlet means leading from said chamber comprising two outlet tubes and a valve controlling the connection to said tubes alternatively. 2. A therapeutic apparatus comprising hot and cold water supplymeans, a chamber provided with a thermometer, a valvefcontrolling communication from' the hot and cold water supply separately and c'onjointly to said chamber, outlet means leading from said chamber comprising two outlet tubes and a valve controlling the connection to said tubes alternatively, one of said outlet tubes being p'rovidedwvith an applicator and with a waste connection therefrom, and theother of said tubes serving as;a direct-waste connection.

3. A' therapeutic ap aratus comprising hot and coldwater supp y means, a chamber provided with a thermometer, a valve controlling communication from the hot and cold Water supply separately and conjointly to said chamber, outlet means leading from said chamber comprising two outlet tubes and avalve controlling the connection to said tubes alternatively one of said outlet tubes being provided with a part presenting an extended surface for applicationof the heat of the waterand with a waste connection therefrom, and the other of said tubes serving as a direct waste connection. I

' 4. A therapeutic ap aratus comprising hot and cold Water supp y means, a chamber provided with a thermometer, a valve controlling communication from the hot and cold water supply separately and conjointly to said chamber, outlet means leading from said chamber comprising two outlet tubes and a valve controlling the connection to said tubes alternativelv,-one of said outlet tubes being provided with a coiled part presenting an extended surface for application of the heat of the water and with adrainage connection therefrom, and the other of sa1d tubes serving as a direct drainage connection.

5. A' therapeutic apparatus comprising hot and cold water supply means, a valve having an outlet connected by the valve to the said supply means alternatively or conjointly, said valve being movable to vary the proportions ofhot and cold water passing therethrou h, means for indicating the temperature o the water so passing, delivery and waste conduits, and a second valve controlling connection from the firstnamed-valve to the said conduits alternatively.

6. An applicator, waste means, hot fluid provided with athermometer, a three-way valve controlling communication from the hot and cold water supply means separately and conjointly to said 0 amber, outlet means leading from saidchamber and controlled by said valve, said outlet means comprising two nection to said tubes alternately.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set outlet tubes and a valve controlling the conmy hand at Los Angeles, California this 25th day of July 1905.

In presence of- JAMES R. TOWNSEND, JULIA TOWNSEND.

THOMAS POWELL. 

